AROOSTOOK COUNTY

(Through Thursday)

ITS 92: Allagash has begun the run to St. Francis, St. Francis has not been cut yet but Fort Kent has been out and will run to St. Francis on Friday, hopefully. There was logging heading to Escourt but that was to be moving out this week. Give them a week to check out that system before they begin to open it.

ITS 85: Fort Kent has been out to Frenchville, Frenchville has been out and Madawaska is out with signage up. Heading south Fort Kent has run to Carter Brook. Eagle Lake has just completed a huge reroute and is still trying to get it marked and ready. Their groomer is in the shop like many others so as soon as it is out they will begin to connect. Portage and Ashland have been out as far as the Oxbow connection but Oxbow was still waiting for their groomer.

ITS 83: Madawaska has its section set up. Red Arrow and Frenchville have been out however, as of this report, they had not been to Cross Lake. Nordic Lakers’ groomer is under repair but they were going to try and go up the powerline with a smaller unit now. From Stockholm south, 83 is groomed to Crouseville and Presque Isle was going to begin poking around the end of this week; they have a lot of water issues. Mars Hill was going to try the railbed and Houlton thought it might run the bed but still need a bit more snow for the woods. We have no reports yet farther south.

ITS 90: Portage will be coming over to Rt. 105. However, there will be no grooming from 105 to Rt. 188 due to water problems. Sledders are advised to use caution if they are to cross this section. From Rt. 88 east to vehicular route 89 the trail is groomed, however Fort Fairfield has water problems and needs a bit more snow in the fields before they venture out.

ITS 88: Presque Isle will be venturing out if possible as well as the Aroostook River Club and Ashland. Again there is a lot of woods trail here that has a lot of water.

ITS 81: Mars Hill wasn’t sure as the woods are a bit skimpy. Same with the Walker Siding due to a lot of trails in the woods but they were going to try. Be alert, sledders, as there are two active logging operations, one off Rt. 75 north of 105 and one right on Rt. 105. Going north Fort Fairfield again has some water problems and minimal snow load. Limestone and Caswell are poking away. Van Buren has some water problems and is looking at a temperature reroute. Sorry no report from Grand Isle area but Madawaska is out.

ITS 86: No action here at this time. The Debouille Trail is closed until further notice due to logging. Rt. 89 from the Rt. 100 intersection in Connor north to Rt. 94 is closed until further notice due to logging. Rt. 105 from Van Buren to the ITS 88 intersection is open but will be spotty from there south until everyone gets up and running.

Compiled by Kathy Mazzuchelli, Caribou Parks & Recreation Department.